You don't need to stop and check in at all. As long as you have your discover pass your good to to go, 24/7. You would only need to stop if you didn't have the discover pass and wanted to buy a day pass. My only word of advice is do the posted speed limit. I have seen cars with boats on top go flying by the guard shack and all that does is give kayakers a bad reputation with the park rangers.

I believe Logan is talking about access to Kanaskat-Palmer park, which is the take-out for the headworks... and as far as the takeout is concerned, that is all correct.

To access the put-in beyond the gate, from what I remember they want to make a copy of your driver's license and you have to fill out a form. Then they'll give you access beyond the gate. And access is per vehicle so it's just the drivers who need to check in. It's a little bit of a hassle but not too bad.

Alternately just put-in below the gate. There's a putin a few hundred yards downstream. And after you drop boats you can drive up and park just outside the gate and walk back to the put-in... That leaves your car in sight of the gate and probably safer location... the main reason to park past the gate is security anyway since you don't add on much more river by going past it.

oops. Guess it pays to read all the details. Ya I was talking about Kanaskat Palmer St. Park.

I'm pretty sure the guard house does have someone on staff 24/7. If you don't want to put in at the fisherman's access point just below the guard house because you're worried about your car, you can always ask the guard on staff to use their parking area outside the gate, which has surveillance.  IMO, the hastle and extra time it takes to go through the gate isn't worth the extra ripple or two you get out of it. However, Dale's got the information correct-- Drivers Licence, and Insurance are requried, which they will keep copies on file. And just as a friendly reminder: Please do not go beyond the access point for kayakers. Anyone who abuses Tacoma Water's generosity in letting kayakers go beyond the gate jepordizes everyone's access to it...

Those who are at a skill level or frame of mind to run the Headworks section will probably enjoy the upper section of this run. It contains what is probably the longest single rapid on this run(besides the stuff below 1rst Ledge). True, it's not great at all levels, but...

Also, when there's water in it, there's a couple surf waves at that put-in that are worth the effort... and then some. True, most are too skert to try to surf 'em, but... :-)

What can I tell you... I'm easily entertained.

All that said, dealing with that gate is a hassle but we're exercising our rights, not enjoying their hospitality.

Agree with Dale and Mark, The run is so short as it is, and the upper stretch is a bit of splashy fun, that I find it worth it (plus parking security). The more recent downside to putting in there is that they repositioned the logs so that they are just below the best put-in spot. No prob except for a noob, but if they had a problem getting briskly out into the river, or flipped at the start, it could be dicey for them.  Too bad as that used to be a great place to get new boaters launched.

George B.